Ramon Sabala

Ramon (Ray) E. Sabala, 78, died Jan. 10, 2010, at his home in Flagstaff.

Mr. Sabala was born Aug. 28, 1931, in Gering, Neb., to Benjamin and Jessie Sabala. He excelled as a football and track star in high school. On June 17, 1952, he was married to Barbara Joan Coglizer. They had three children, Mitchell Ray, Wendy Ayn and Susan Monique.

Mr. Sabala retired from the U.S. Geological Survey after a full career as a cartographer. He began his career in oil exploration as a surveyor with Superior Oil. He then relocated his family to Flagstaff in 1964 as a member of the U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Division, founded by Eugene Shoemaker. His maps were an integral part of NASA's Apollo missions to the moon.

Mr. Sabala was active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, life member, Flagstaff Lodge 499; the Free and Accepted Masons, perpetual member, Flagstaff Lodge 7; the El Zaribah Shriners Int'l, York Rite of Freemasonry, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry 32nd degree, Order of the Eastern Star Grand Canyon Chapter, and a member of the Epiphany Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Sabala and Susan Sabala-Foreman (Dirch Foreman), and a grandson, all of Flagstaff. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Dolores Gorden, of Lakewood, Wash., and her children and grandchildren, as well as extended family in Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado, and many friends in the Flagstaff area. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Joan (Coglizer) Sabala; son Mitchell Sabala; parents Benjamin and Jessie Mae Sabala, brother Benjamin Sabala Jr., and sister Ola Mae (Sabala) Keyes.

A memorial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge, 2101 N. San Francisco St.

Arrangements are by Norvel Owens Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

Condolences can be sent to his family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com.